[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 92 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1206-E1207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING RESEARCH AND 
                        DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN P. SARBANES

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2011

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Electronic 
Device Recycling Research and Development Act of 2011. Electronic 
devices--computers, printers, cameras, mobile phones and other 
technology--comprise the fastest-growing share of our solid waste. 
These discarded electronic devices fill our landfills and leak toxic 
chemicals into our soil and groundwater. The most toxic components of 
these devices are exported in bulk to the developing world where they 
can be dumped without the safety measures imposed by U.S. environmental 
laws.
  This so called E-waste also contains a high concentration of raw 
materials that can be reprocessed and reused by American manufacturers. 
The largest domestic supply of certain

[[Page E1207]]

rare materials critical to the manufacture of electronic devices is 
found in many municipal landfills. Yet our patchwork system of state 
laws and regulations, coupled with inaction by the federal government, 
has acted as a deterrent to manufacturers looking to reclaim these raw 
materials-- the vast majority of which are currently imported from 
China. This dependence on foreign raw materials by American 
manufacturers also reveals a major vulnerability to our industrial 
supply chain-- exposing our domestic economy to the volatility of 
foreign commodities markets and the whims of foreign governments.
  Additional research and development is required in recycling 
technologies so we can more efficiently sort and process materials. To 
make recycling easier, products should avoid environmentally sensitive 
materials and enable re-use or extended use of electronic devices. For 
consumers, we need to make it easier to recycle and re-use electronics.
  The Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act seeks to 
address these critical challenges by:
  Authorizing the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, to award grants 
to reduce the environmental impact of discarded electronic devices and 
promote the recycling of these devices through research and development 
projects;
  Requiring National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study on 
opportunities for and barriers to the recycling of discarded electronic 
devices; and
  Authorizing EPA to award grants to colleges and universities for 
curriculum development in the areas of recycling electronic devices and 
enabling green design.
  This legislation was introduced in the previous Congress by former 
Congressman Bart Gordon, the Chairman of the House Committee on 
Science, Space and Technology, and passed the House of Representatives 
by voice vote. It is my hope that this commonsense legislation will 
continue to receive strong bipartisan support. It has the strong 
backing of environmental advocacy groups and industry, including Best 
Buy and the Electronics Takeback Coalition--a diverse coalition 
comprised of more than two dozen national and local environmental, 
public health and public interest organizations.
  This is a green jobs bill. From auto parts to solar voltaic panels, 
the energy and resource-intensive manufacturing processes that drive 
our modern economy will benefit from expanded research and development 
focused on the lifecycle of electronic devices. By giving manufacturers 
the tools, training and resources to sustainably manufacture electronic 
devices, this legislation will create jobs, protect the environment and 
improve public health.

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